Getting Started

This website offers many opportunities to learn more
about these important documents of the ancient Maya. General background
information on the codices may be accessed by clicking selections under Learn about the Codices. This site is not designed to provide an
extensive overview or summary of Maya culture, writing, or the codices themselves,
however. Sources for such information may be found in the section
on References & Resources.

The database can be searched with a simple string of words, or more advanced
searches may be employed for those familiar with the structure and contents of
the screenfolds. Searches are initiated by clicking on Search
the Database. For academic researchers, the presentation of the material and
the search engines provided allow for intensive and extensive investigation of
the codices.

Please note that this website is a work in progress and will be updated periodically.
Also note that, while the original Madrid Codex
was painted in a variety of colors, the working version of this document
in the website consists of black-and-white line drawings. To see color facsimiles of the
Maya codices, visit www.famsi.org/mayawriting/codices.